[MINI-Moo]

Hey there folks...

Name is Spencer and im fairly new to the idea of buying a MINI.

Recently started looking into a soft top and had been looking at a Honda S2000, but after a comment from a friend, now seriously looking into a mini cab!

Thought id come on here as i know how helpful you guys can be!! Any advice would be appreciated

Now, here's the update...Im wanting to get a convertible, but simply cant decide on what varient to get!! So much to choose from.

I've got a good idea of what sort of look i'm going for (either Aero Kit or if possible a JCW kit), but cant decide on wheels, colour, spec (ONE with upgraded bodykit, Cooper or Cooper S).

Being such a geek here, but thought the cars in the new Italian Job looked kinda cool lol

Also, is it worth going for factory fitted SatNav, or get a third party set up??

Anyway, now i've bored you with waffle appropiately i'm looking forward to whatever assistance you can provide.

Be cool hearing from you experts!

[minicabrio]

Hi Spencer!

Lots and lots of questions there, so I'll try to help the best I can!!

Basically, the difference between the One, Cooper, and S are the engine outputs. The One and Cooper have the same engine with the One putting out 90bhp and the Cooper 115bhp. The Cooper S has a supercharged version of the same engine putting out 170bhp.

Externally, the One and Cooper are very similar, except the One comes with a black-only hood (roof), whereas on a Cooper you can spec black, blue or green. The one also has a little exhaust tailpipe compared with the Cooper. The Cooper S obviously has the bonnet scoop, different bumpers, side skirts, and a twin rear exit exhaust.

The Italian Job cars were all Coopers (the red one was an S) with the Aero Kit. The thing to remember is, you can always add things on to your MINI - modding is all part of the fun.

Here's a couple of shots of mine, one when new, and a recent one!



Mine is a Cooper, and I've kept the standard bumpers.

This MINI belongs to NickyJ, its a MINI One with the full Aero Kit and the 17" web spokes. Gives you an idea how the Aero Kit can transform the look of the car!



I guess the last question on satnav is one of personal choice. The factory nav is very expensive, and I'm not a fan of the square screen in the round hole solution. I'd save my money and buy a tom tom.

Hope that helps! Any other questions, just shout.

Jon

[MINI-Moo]

Nice one Jon...

Some useful info there for me to ponder.

Looks like i might be swaying towards a Cooper S...but it all depends on budget! lol

Would like a Dark Silver one preferably, but not yet seen one with the Aero Kit on it. Aero kit definately a must for me though!! Looks awesome on the cabrio!

What are the wheels you've added? They look very tasty. And any ideas where i should be looking for bits and peices for my up and coming purchase?

As for the SatNav....I agree with you. Factory fitted kit looks out of place. I do prefer the twin dials behind the wheel though. I might see if i can fit a motorised satnav head unit instead.

Cheers for the help...and sorry about all the questions. I'm terrible for researching what i want before i get it!! lol

Spencer

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

Nice one Jon...

Some useful info there for me to ponder.

Looks like i might be swaying towards a Cooper S...but it all depends on budget! lol

Would like a Dark Silver one preferably, but not yet seen one with the Aero Kit on it. Aero kit definately a must for me though!! Looks awesome on the cabrio!

What are the wheels you've added? They look very tasty. And any ideas where i should be looking for bits and peices for my up and coming purchase?

As for the SatNav....I agree with you. Factory fitted kit looks out of place. I do prefer the twin dials behind the wheel though. I might see if i can fit a motorised satnav head unit instead.

Cheers for the help...and sorry about all the questions. I'm terrible for researching what i want before i get it!! lol

Spencer

Dark Silver I hear you say?? Here you go!!



The wheels on mine are the 17" Split Rim R90 alloys They'll be listed in the MINI Accessories brochure - but they're not cheap!!

To get the dual dials behind the steering wheel, you can also go for the Chrono Pack. This puts some dials in the centre (oil, water etc), and gives you the two pods behind the steering wheel. It's not to my taste though to be honest - I like the big centre speedo. Image below:



Regarding places to go... for all things ICE and lighting related, visit NewMINIStuff.com, and for other items, just have a general peruse of the site sponsors directory, there are some great companies in there!!

http://www.mini2.com/sponsors/

Jon

[MINI-Moo]

Cheers for the pics on the Dark Silver. Was even thinking of one with black stripes. Looks awesome in that kit...although think id prefer the wheels you have!

What other colours are actually available? I know of Hyer Blue, but not sure what shade of blue it is! lol

I'll check out the link...didnt even know there was any sponsers (newbie skills at its best!!)

Might go ask the folks in the ICE area about fitting a motorised SatNav system.

Any tips on where i should be loking on this site for cool stuff??

Thanks again dude!

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

Cheers for the pics on the Dark Silver. Was even thinking of one with black stripes. Looks awesome in that kit...although think id prefer the wheels you have!

What other colours are actually available? I know of Hyer Blue, but not sure what shade of blue it is! lol

I'll check out the link...didnt even know there was any sponsers (newbie skills at its best!!)

Might go ask the folks in the ICE area about fitting a motorised SatNav system.

Any tips on where i should be loking on this site for cool stuff??

Thanks again dude!

No problem... On the blue front Cool Blue (mine) and Hyper Blue have been available since launch in 2004, though these are now discontinued. You can now spec Laser Blue and Lightning Blue.

As for cool stuff on the site, just browse through the appropriate forum. Everything is divided up to make it easier to find, Interior and ICE has its own forum, Tuning has its own forum etc.

If you're after something in particular just tap it into the search box at the top of the page

Happy MINIing

Jon

[I love MINI, Laura]

Not much else to add as Jon has almost covered everything!

Just wanted to say welcome to MINI2 and you'll love the MINI convertible. Go test drive the lot (one, Cooper and S cabs) and let your budget decide for you as I know where the heart will lead you! (S)

[MiniSoul]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

Regarding places to go... for all things ICE and lighting related, visit NewMINIStuff.com, and for other items, just have a general peruse of the site sponsors directory, there are some great companies in there!!

http://www.mini2.com/sponsors/

Jon

I confirm that Mike at newministuff.com sorted me out on the satnav side, and was pleased I went to someone who knows about Minis as they did a super job. Well recommended.

I considered the factory sat nav but thought it too expensive (as is their bluetooth phone thing) and always found the BMW ones outdated (though I never actually tried a Mini one). I ordered the chrono pack to get the speedo where I wanted on the steering wheel, leaving space for a motorised screen to be fitted and in fact it only covers a bit of the round thing when it comes out.

I went for a Kenwood system which has satnav with traffic and bluetooth to my phone and connections to the steering wheel all for about the same as the factory sat nav alone would have been.

I used to use a TomTom but have to say the Garmin one (which the Kenwood one is), is far superior in lots of ways IMHO, and I am converted. The traffic thing in particular is superb.

Jeremy

[MINI-Moo]

Quote: Originally Posted by I love MINI, Laura (original)

Not much else to add as Jon has almost covered everything!

Just wanted to say welcome to MINI2 and you'll love the MINI convertible. Go test drive the lot (one, Cooper and S cabs) and let your budget decide for you as I know where the heart will lead you! (S)

Thanks for the welcome!! I know i should let my budget lead me...but that budget seems to creep higher the more i look into it!! lol

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniSoul (original)

I confirm that Mike at newministuff.com sorted me out on the satnav side, and was pleased I went to someone who knows about Minis as they did a super job. Well recommended.

I considered the factory sat nav but thought it too expensive (as is their bluetooth phone thing) and always found the BMW ones outdated (though I never actually tried a Mini one). I ordered the chrono pack to get the speedo where I wanted on the steering wheel, leaving space for a motorised screen to be fitted and in fact it only covers a bit of the round thing when it comes out.

I went for a Kenwood system which has satnav with traffic and bluetooth to my phone and connections to the steering wheel all for about the same as the factory sat nav alone would have been.

I used to use a TomTom but have to say the Garmin one (which the Kenwood one is), is far superior in lots of ways IMHO, and I am converted. The traffic thing in particular is superb.

Jeremy

Some good advice there. Is the Kenwood a system you got from MiniStuff?? If so, whisch option did you go for??

Also, you mentioned ordering the chrono pack. Was that on a brand new model, or used? I'll be getting a used example and would be cool if i can get it upgraded after!

[MiniSoul]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

Thanks for the welcome!! I know i should let my budget lead me...but that budget seems to creep higher the more i look into it!! lol

Oh yes, that's how it works

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

Some good advice there. Is the Kenwood a system you got from MiniStuff?? If so, whisch option did you go for??

Yes I got it all from and installed by NewMiniStuff on the basis that 1) he is a Mini man (on this forum he's "mikeythemini"); 2) he's been recommended on this site many times as someone who knows his stuff (which I can confirm) and 3) if there is a problem with anything, I know I can ask him. For me it was only 60 miles away, but I would travel across the country for this service and piece of mind (price dependent!).

I went for the Kenwood 729 unit with the Harmon Kardon add-on (as my Mini has this), steering wheel control and bluetooth phone add-in and the SatNav with traffic. I can't recommend it highly enough. On the last bank holiday we drove from Yorkshire to Dover for a ferry - the traffic was terrible everywhere and we trusted it to take us and it took us a great route away from the M1 and M25 that were stationary (including a bit through London, which we flew through). Got there in plenty of time and sat and watched Ice Age 2 on the DVD ! It is truly perfect and simple to use. You can also connect USB Memory sticks with music or Ipods or even a rear view camera to the thing (although rear visibility on the convertible isn't as bad as you may hear as long as you adjust your mirrors right and have the roof off as much as possible!).

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

Also, you mentioned ordering the chrono pack. Was that on a brand new model, or used? I'll be getting a used example and would be cool if i can get it upgraded after!

Ah, yes I ordered it new so specified it with this sort of sat nav in mind. I doubt you'd be able to do this, but even if you get a used Mini with centre speedo, I wouldn't worry as the screen would only cover a very small portion of it at the bottom so wouldn't obscure your view of your speed or anything.

hth
Jeremy

[MINI-Moo]

Doubt very much i'll go for a model with a centre speedo. Wont purchase unless it has the Chrono Pack! lol

If you don't mind me asking, roughly how much was the Kenwood set-up, as that sounds like just what i'm after (budget depending of course!)??

I'll definately have to look into MiniStuff sorting me out though...comes highly recommended. Just need to find out how far away they are...

[MiniSoul]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Moo (original)

If you don't mind me asking, roughly how much was the Kenwood set-up, as that sounds like just what i'm after (budget depending of course!)??

I'll definately have to look into MiniStuff sorting me out though...comes highly recommended. Just need to find out how far away they are...

You can see Mike's list prices by following the link on my previous reply (click on the bold bit where it says "Kenwood 729"), though if you're a Privilege Member on this site you'll get a discount with him.

Depending where you are in Leicestershire, you'd be 2 to 2.5 hours away from them (that'd be from Loughborough area)